Low libido isn't an inevitable consequence of age. Stress, fatigue, poor circulation and certain medications can take their toll on your sex drive regardless of your age. Some herbs that can help you cope with stress, balance your hormones and support circulation may help you get your desire back. No single herb can fix a libido, so you may need to combine several herbs and use them for a few months to see results. Consult your health care provider before combining herbs or taking them long-term.
Step 1
Boost your sexual desire with yohimbe, sasparilla or diamiana. Yohimbe is an African tree that produces the yohimbe used in prescription medications for sexual dysfunction. Recommended doses of yohimbe bark range from 5 mg to 30 mg daily, say New York University medical experts. Sarsaparilla is a popular aphrodisiac in Mexico and South America, notes natural health website Mother Nature, although no scientific evidence supports this belief. Damiana is another Mexican folk remedy for increasing libido.
Step 2
Relax and get in the mood more easily with lavender or passion flower. Tea from these herbs helps you feel calmer without becoming drowsy. Alternatively, add 1 to 4 drops lavender oil to 1 tbsp. carrier oil like olive oil and apply to your skin, University of Maryland Medical Center experts recommend. To improve low mood, try St. John's wort, gingko biloba or American ginseng. For St. John's wort, take 300 mg three times daily with meals, suggest UMMC experts.
Step 3
Low testosterone levels can reduce libido in both men and women. The Chinese herb dong quai may help balance your hormone levels. Proponents of horny goat weed claim this herb increases testosterone, but little evidence of this exists. Chinese folklore suggests ginseng may increase testosterone. Another Chinese herb, called fo-ti, He sho wu, or Polygonum multiflorumm may increase testosterone, recommends the Mother Nature website. It may also support sperm and egg health.
Step 4
Improve your circulation to ensure sufficient blood flow to your sex organs. Ginkgo strengthens blood vessels, notes Mother Nature. Ginseng can improve your cardiovascular health. Take 200 mg in one to three doses daily and 120 mg to 160 mg of gingko in two or three doses daily, advise experts from the UMMC. Ginger, which thins the blood, can also boost circulation. Brew tea from 2 g to 4 g of ginger.
Step 5
Improve the functioning of your adrenal glands. These glands produce important sex hormones, but chronic stress can impair their production. The root of licorice, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, can stimulate your adrenal glands. Take 5 g to 6 g in capsules daily, recommend University of Michigan health care experts. Asian ginseng and eleuthero, or Siberian ginseng, not only help your body cope with stress, but also support the adrenals.
Things You'll Need
- Aphrodisiac herbs
- Herbs for relaxation
- Circulation support herbs
- Adrenal support herbs
